Governor Cuomo Announces Major Step for Nano Utica Initiative

U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers Approves Wetlands Permit, Paving the Way for
Major Development and Significant Job Creation at Marcy Nanocenter

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers has issued a Section 404 permit for the Marcy Nanocenter site,
enabling the next phase of the Nano Utica initiative. This includes the
construction of a 450 MM enabled wafer fabrication campus and
significant local job creation that will further solidify New York’s
global position as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing and
nanotechnology.

"The approval of this permit is an important step forward to continue
economic development plans, creating jobs in the Mohawk Valley and
building on our $1.5 billion investment at Nano Utica," Governor Cuomo
said. "This new hub will recreate in Utica the success we have seen in
Albany, with international investors taking note of the innovation and
development happening in Upstate New York. I thank the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers for approving this wetlands permit that will allow us to
continue our on-time schedule of building a nanotechnology cluster here
at the Nano Utica campus."

In October of last year, Governor Cuomo announced the ‘Nano Utica’
initiative, a $1.5 billion public-private partnership that would be
spearheaded by the newly merged CNSE/SUNYIT. Construction of the
Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C) is currently underway
and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014.

The Marcy Nanocenter site is the largest remaining shovel-ready,
greenfield site in New York State’s Tech Valley, and is located on the
CNSE/SUNYIT Utica campus. Issuance of the Section 404 permit is the
culmination of nearly 10 months of work to strike a balance on securing
the regulatory approvals required to develop a publicly owned site for
economic development. It will focus on critical investments to create,
protect and restore environmentally sensitive sites at Oriskany Flats
Wildlife Management Area and stream enhancement projects associated with
storm damaged areas within the Mohawk River Watershed. Preliminary site
work can now begin, paving the way for the development of up to three
semiconductor-manufacturing facilities, each with 450,000 SF of
cleanroom manufacturing space.

Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, Chief Executive Officer and Officer in Charge of
SUNY CNSE/SUNYIT, said, "Governor Cuomo’s vision to establish a
nanotechnology ecosystem stretching from Albany to Buffalo takes another
step forward today, as the Marcy site is formally ready for
development. In developing this site, the NanoCollege will leverage
public-private partnerships to create investment, employment, and
academic opportunities throughout the region. Working in partnership
with Mohawk Valley Edge, our development of the Marcy site will further
New York’s global leadership in the development of next generation
technologies."

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said, "Today's announcement marks an
important milestone as Governor Cuomo expands the power and promise of
nanotechnology in the Mohawk Valley and across New York to create local
jobs, drive innovation, and establish the state as a globally recognized
industry leader. The academic programs at SUNY CNSE/SUNY IT and across
the system are growing in tandem with New York’s burgeoning high tech
industries as SUNY rises to the challenge of training the 21st century
workforce New York needs."

Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, "This is a welcome and long awaited
decision by the Corps and is an example of how government at all levels
needs to work together to build a stronger economy. I am pleased to see
the federal regulatory policy align with the Governor and the
legislature’s economic development vision that creates badly needed
economic development opportunities here in the Mohawk Valley. Today
marks an important milestone in helping to achieve that vision."

Assemblyman Anthony J. Brindisi said, "This agreement was the result of
many people at different levels of government working together to come
up with a reasonable solution. This is another very positive development
for economic development in the Mohawk Valley that is the result of
cooperation and collaboration. I especially want to thank Governor Cuomo
and Senator Schumer for all that they did to resolve this issue. I am
confident that we have the best site in New York State for advanced
manufacturing, and I look forward to welcoming new tenants for it in the
near future."

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said, "Today the Army Corps of
Engineers issued the long awaited Wet Lands Permit for the Marcy
Nanocenter Site. I want to thank Governor Cuomo, Senators Schumer and
Gillibrand and Congressman Hanna for all of their hard work in making
today a reality. I also want to thank Alain E. Kaloyeros from
CNSE/SUNYIT and Steve DiMeo from Mohawk Valley EDGE for their commitment
to this project. From day one as Oneida County Executive I have never
wavered in my commitment to the Marcy Nanocenter Site and the future it
represents. We have invested tens of millions of dollars in
infrastructure projects, worked with our educational partners to become
leaders in nanotechnology research and development and have built a plan
through Vision 2020 to prepare for this new economy. We have removed a
final barrier today with this permit and now we can close the deal to
bring nanotechnology manufacturing here to Oneida County and with it
five thousand jobs and an economy for the future."

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said, "This is another great day for the
City of Uticaand the Greater Utica Area. Today’s announcement shows how
far we’ve come in making Nano Utica a reality. I thank the Governor and
our partners in the federal, state and local government for their
tireless work in advocating for this transformative project."

Rome Mayor Joseph Fusco said, "The news of the permit issuance comes at a
very important time for our area it will allow the nano project to
proceed and with that economic growth and stability in our region. I
would like to thank the governor's office and recognize the persistence
of the folks at Mohawk Valley Edge for bringing this project closer to
fruition‎."

Marcy Town Supervisor Brian Scala said, "First the Town of Marcy must
thank Steve DiMeo, MV EDGE for all the work, over many, many years, he
and his team put in to keep this permit application active and finally
closing it out. Secondly we thank the Army Corp of Engineers for their
desires in having all issues addressed on the Marcy NANO site before
issuing this permit."

Mohawk Valley EDGE President Steve DiMeo said, "We are extremely pleased
to have received the Section 404 permit, which enables us to get to
work on building a truly exciting future here in the Mohawk Valley. The
Mohawk Valley is on its way to becoming the state’s second major hub for
nanotechnology, and will play a major role in Governor Cuomo’s vision
to establish a Nano Canal Corridor that stretches from Albany to
Buffalo."

Mohawk Valley EDGE has filed an application with the town of Marcy
Planning Board to secure final site plan approval. Planning Board
approval will authorize EDGE to commence preliminary site development
activities.

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About SUNY CNSE. The SUNY College of Nanoscale Science
and Engineering (CNSE) is the world leader in the emerging disciplines
of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. CNSE
represents the world’s most advanced university-driven research
enterprise, with more than $20 billion in high-tech investments and over
300 corporate partners. The 1.3 million-square-foot Albany NanoTech
megaplex is home to more than 3,100 scientists, researchers, engineers,
students, and faculty. CNSE maintains a statewide footprint, operating
the Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI) at Kiernan Plaza
in Albany, the Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon, the
Photovoltaic Manufacturing and Technology Development Facility in
Rochester, and the Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center
(STC) in Canandaigua. CNSE co-founded and manages the Computer Chip
Commercialization Center (Quad-C) at SUNYIT and is lead developer of the
Marcy Nanocenter site in Utica, as well as the Buffalo High-Tech
Manufacturing Complex, Buffalo Information Technologies Innovation and
Commercialization Hub, and Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub.
For information,
visit www.sunycnse.com.

About SUNYIT. SUNYIT, the State University of New York Institute of
Technology at Utica/Rome, is New York’s public polytechnic, offering
undergraduate and graduate degree programs in technology, professional
studies, and the arts and sciences. Its academic offerings in technology
include engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the
engineering technologies; programs in professional studies include
business, communication, and nursing; and offerings in the arts and
sciences range from sciences to humanities to the social sciences.
Athletics, recreational, cultural and campus life programs, events and
activities complement the academic experience. Founded in 1966, SUNYIT
is a unique high-tech learning environment on hundreds of acres,
offering degree programs online as well as on campus. The SUNYIT family
of alumni now numbers 25,000. For information, visit www.sunyit.edu.